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It’s strange watching the rise of player versus player (PvP) prominence within massively multiplayer games. First exposed to the concept in Ultima Online when out in the wilds of Britannia, I’ve watched it evolve from what was a seemingly a recreational activity when not questing or exploring, to it taking pride of place as a must have within the genre…

Falling into the category of “he makes more money than me but still hasn’t given me any” comes this announcement: Steerpike’s older and more successful brother Marcus is hosting a new show called Hidden City on the Travel Channel. It premieres December 6, so set your Tivos!

Fellow Tappers, how time flies! Turkeys do not fly. Like chickens and ostriches they are flightless birds. And they will be slaughtered, engorged with bread and spices, overcooked, and consumed en masse this Thursday, as Americans celebrate “Thanksgiving,” which when you think about it doesn’t make sense as a word. Before we continue, I feel compelled to announce that Steerpike – whoever that guy is – might take advantage of the slow week to make …

Telltale’s second series this year to extend a classic sci-fi film is a dino-tranq-size shot of nostalgia for when sci-fi movies were still awesome. Also, dilophosaurs. Though Jurassic Park: The Game is separated into four episodes, as near as I can tell they have all released at once, which I doubt was the original intent, but hey, I’m not complaining; Telltale would have to make a pretty big misstep to prevent me from being in …

My recent trip to GDC Online in Austin, TX, reminded me how much I hate traveling by airplane. Being crammed into an aluminum tube with a hundred other people, after waiting uncomfortably for hours, after being frisked, maybe, is just not my idea of convenient. I’d rather drive. But this also made me return to a thought I’d had some time ago. Traveling is expensive, time-consuming. Daunting, even. But there’s so much fascinating stuff in …

Shockingly, I actually bought a game on launch day for a change, because the timing was right. This is another game where you pretty much know already if you really wanted it, in which case you’re probably a lot further in than me, who spent my first five hours with Skyrim yesterday after getting home. But if you’re one of those that’s on the fence, I’ll walk you through what my first impressions are with …

Review by Bearwhale Battlefield 3 Developer DICE Publisher EA Released October 25, 2011 Available for PC, Xbox 360, PS3, iOS Time Played 10-15 hours Verdict: 3.4/5 Middlin’ “I can only hope that these problems are fixed because without them, Battlefield 3 could be a pretty neat game. As it is, though, it needs a LOT of work.”

Another month, another column! Today, Tappers, I submit for your consideration a Culture Clash installment full of holiday cheer. Should be on the IGDA website in the next few days if you prefer to do your considering over there. This topic has been on my mind since I got a Kindle of my own. I love the device; it’s certainly increased my reading, but it – like Steam – does represent a fundamental shift in …

From the 21st of October through to the 24th, myself, Lewis B, Matt “Steerpike” Sakey, Joel “Harbour Master” Goodwin from Electron Dance, Armand K from BnB Gaming, and a couple of friends by the name of Luke and Evan got together to play Bloodline Champions, a free-to-play arena and team-based player versus player title by Stunlock Studios. Blows were exchanged, blood was rent and the victorious were left flailing around randomly. We also managed to get …